Friends: Series 3 Boxset (UK)

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The whole third series
Certificate: 12
Running Time: 550 mins
Retail Price: £60
Release Date:

Synopsis:
The One With The Princess Leia Fantasy
Monica is dysfunctional because of her breakup with Richard. Joey can`t stand having Janice around all the time; she invites him on a "day of fun" so they can get to know each other. Ross and Rachel talk about their fantasies; Rachel then tells Phoebe and Monica about Ross`s Princess Leia fantasy. Phoebe helps Monica try to relax. Ross and Chandler share personal information, which leads to some unpleasant side effects for Ross. Mr. Geller shows up and comforts Monica.
The One Where No-one`s Ready
Ross has an important night but no one else is ready to go. Joey and Chandler fight about chairs and clothes. Joey spills humus on Phoebe`s dress. Monica hears an old message from Richard and thinks that it might be new; she leaves him a message which she then tries to erase, but just makes it worse. Rachel can`t decide what to wear; Ross gets angry and Rachel decides not to go... unless he drinks the fat.
The One With The Jam
Joey falls while jumping on the bed and dislocates his arm. Monica tries to stay busy to keep her mind off Richard. First, she makes a lot of jam, which Joey loves. Second, she begins screen sperm donors--and runs into Joey`s file. Phoebe is followed by her sister`s stalker (Malcolm)... then starts dating him. Chandler seeks advice on relationships from Rachel and Ross. Ross secretly tells him about the "hug and roll"--a maneuver designed to end the cuddling and give you some space. Chandler tries it out but ends up dumping Janice on the floor.
The One With The Metaphorical Tunnel
Joey appears in an infomercial for the Milk Master 2000. Phoebe forgets to tell Joey about an audition... but makes it up to him by calling the casting director and pretending to be an agent; Joey asks her to represent him full time. Ross has a hard time accepting that his son plays with a Barbi doll; he tries to get him interested in more masculine toys. Chandler is scared of the "tunnel" of commitment until Joey convinces him to face his fears... but then Chandler overdoes it and scares Janice away for a while. Monica and Rachel welcome Chandler to "their side of the tunnel" and console him with ice-cream.
The One With Frank Jr.
Joey gets carried away with a mailbox project and ends up building an entertainment center--then gets sidetracked on Monica`s bathroom floor. Phoebe hangs out with her half-brother, Frank Jr., in hopes of getting to know him better; he misunderstands when she tells him she gives people "massages and stuff". The gang all consider what five celebrities would be on their "freebie list"--people they can sleep with without anyone getting upset; Ross finally narrows his list down by eliminating Isabella Rossellini... then he bumps into her.
The One With The Flashback
Prompted by a question from Janice, the group has a flashback revealing events which occurred three years earlier: Chandler searches for a roommate; Cute Naked Guy puts on weight; Phoebe secretly moves out of Monica`s apartment; The bar is closing to make way for a coffee shop; Mr. Heckles could play the oboe; Rachel contemplates her upcoming marriage to Barry; Mr. Heckles could be Chandler`s new roommate; Ross is happy that Carol has found a new friend -- Susan; One of the lifeguards dismantles a nuclear device; "Almost" relationships are revealed between Joey and Monica, Monica and Chandler, Chandler and Rachel, Ross and Phoebe.
The One With The Racecar Bed
Monica and Phoebe shop at the store owned by Janice`s soon-to-be-ex-husband, and Monica ends up with the wrong bed. Rachel and Ross have dinner with her father, which doesn`t go well; the next day at brunch, Ross and Dr. Green find something to bond over. Gunther broods over Rachel. Joey Teaches a class--"Acting for Soap Operas". While trying to return the bed, Joey and Monica see Janice kissing her husband.
The One With The Giant Poking Device
Phoebe avoids going to the dentist because whenever she goes, someone dies. Joey tells Chandler about Janice kissing her husband, and Chandler confronts her. She must chose between the two men she loves; it looks like she might choose Chandler, but he decides he can`t be responsible for breaking up her marriage. Ross has an emergency at the museum, so Rachel takes care of Ben; Monica bangs Ben`s head. Ugly Naked Guy has a new hammock, and looks awfully still; the gang fashions a very long poking device out of chopsticks so they can make sure he`s not dead. Gunther continues to brood over Rachel.
The One With The Footbal
The girls cook while the guys watch a football game on TV; all six decide to play football together. Monica and Ross compete for the "Geller Cup." Joey and Chandler compete for a Dutch girl. Rachel goes long. Phoebe flashes the other team.
The One Where Rachel Quits
Gunther re-trains Rachel on how to be a waitress; she realizes it`s time to quit working at the coffee shop. Ross accidentally breaks a little girl`s leg, and ends up selling Brown Bird Cookies for her so she can go to Space Camp. Monica`s childhood cookie habit returns. Joey gets a job at a Christmas tree lot. Phoebe tries to come to terms with the cruelty of having a Christmas tree.
The One Where Chandler Can`t Remember Which Sister
Joey astounds the gang with a card trick. Chandler, depressed over his break-up with Janice, fools around with one of Joey`s sisters at Joey`s birthday party; but afterward can`t remember which sister; he visits the Tribianni family, hoping to figure it out, but only gets himself into trouble--by kissing the wrong one. Rachel meets Mark, who gets her an interview at Bloomingdale`s; Ross worries about Mark`s motives. Phoebe dates the noisy guy from upstairs, who seems to charm himself out of any situation.
The One With All The Jealousy
Rachel has her first day on the job; Ross continues to be jealous about Mark. Chandler arranges a bachelor party for his cousin. Joey gets an audition for a Broadway musical, but he can`t dance. Gunther pines for Rachel. Monica falls for Julio, a co-worker at the diner who writes a poetry; he writes a poem for Monica which isn`t very flattering. Ross and Ben have a play date with the stripper from the bachelor party, which makes Rachel jealous.
The One Where Monica And Richard Are Just Friends
Monica and Richard have a chance meeting in a video store and decide to see each other as friends--but it doesn`t stop there. Phoebe dates Robert, a jock whose shorts are a little too revealing; Ross and Chandler don`t know how to tell him. Joey and Rachel read each other`s favorite books: The Shining and Little Women.
The One With Phoebe`s Ex-Partner
Phoebe`s former singing partner (Leslie) performs at Central Perk and asks Phoebe if they can get back together. They eventually do, but soon have problems when Leslie sells "Smelly Cat" to a kitty litter company. Chandler meets a woman (Ginger) in the men`s room and asks her out; coincidentally, Joey used to date her-- until an unfortunate incident occurred, involving her artificial leg. Chandler gets over the fact that she has an artificial leg, but when Ginger learns he has a third nipple, she dumps him. Ross continues to struggle with Rachel`s career and her involvement with Mark. Chandler has his third nipple removed.
The One Where Ross & Rachel Take A Break
Phoebe dates a diplomat who doesn`t speak english; she convinces Monica to double with them so the translator will have a date. Chandler and Joey gawk at the Xerox girl, who invites them both to a dance club. Ross interrupts Rachel`s late night emergency at the office, leading to a fight; Rachel wants to take a break. Ross goes to the club and ends up kissing the Xerox girl.
The One The Morning After
Rachel is sorry about her fight with Ross; meanwhile, Ross wakes up with the Xerox girl; Chandler and Joey convince Ross not to tell Rachel; Ross tries to make sure Rachel doesn`t find out. Monica and Phoebe try out a "painless" leg waxing kit. Chandler, Joey, Phoebe, and Monica get stuck in Monica`s room while Ross and Rachel try to work things out.
The One Without The Ski Trip
Ross and Rachel`s fighting causes the gang to try to hang out with them separately. Chandler, under stress because Ross and Rachel`s break-up reminds him of his parents divorce, starts smoking again. Rachel invites everyone but Ross to go skiing for the weekend; they get locked out of the car at a rest stop; Rachel refuses to call Ross for help, so Monica and Phoebe do it behind her back; he comes to their aid and then gets stuck because his battery dies. Ross interferes with Carol`s and Susan`s "Anniversary".
The One With The Hypnosis Tape
Rachel gives Chandler a hypnosis tape to help him quit smoking; however, the tape was designed for women--and it works all too well. Phoebe`s brother, Frank, announces that he`s getting married--to his home economics teacher, who is much older; Phoebe tries to break it up and enlists help from Ross and Joey. Monica gets asked out by a customer at the diner, who turns out to be a millionaire; they go out for pizza... in Italy.
The One With The Tiny T-Shirt
Monica continues to date Pete but is still not attracted to him; he thinks she might change her mind. Joey gets a lead part in a play, but can`t stand the female lead... until he realizes he likes her. Mark asks Rachel out. Rachel asks Ross to come over, but just so she can return some of his stuff; Ross gets upset and demands all his stuff back, including a tiny t-shirt that Rachel likes to sleep in. Later, Ross finds out Rachel is going on a date with Mark and spies on them through Chandler`s peep-hole. Phoebe ponders Spiderman.
The One With The Dollhouse
Ross and Monica`s Aunt Silvia passes away and leaves a beautiful dollhouse to Monica; Monica invites Phoebe to play with it but then doesn`t like Phoebe`s ideas; Phoebe makes her own dollhouse, but it catches fire. Joey yearns for Kate, but since he can`t have her, he goes out with her understudy; things get hot between Joey and Kate during rehearsal, however, and they end up sleeping together... but it means more to Joey than it does to Kate. Rachel sets Chandler up on a date with her boss; she likes him, but he thinks she`s a big dull dud; Chandler tells her he`ll call even though he doesn`t intend to.
The One With The Chick & A Duck
The diner where Monica works puts their staff on roller-skates; Monica crashes into Rachel while skating; Rachel`s injuries are worse than first believed. Pete buys a restaurant and offers Monica a job as head chef; she`s unsure whether to take it, since she still isn`t attracted to Pete. Pete makes up a story about another woman so Monica will think he`s over her; Phoebe sees right through it but promises not to tell Monica. Joey buys a pet chick for Chandler, but caring for it becomes a source of conflict. Ross has a chance to be on TV as part of a panel of Paleontologists, but gives it up to take Rachel to the hospital. Monica and Pete are about to stop seeing each other, but then they kiss... and Monica finally feels it.
The One With The Screamer
Phoebe waits on hold so she can have her phone repaired before the warranty expires. The gang goes to Joey`s play on opening night. Rachel dates Tommy, who seems pretty nice... except when he starts screaming at people; however, only Ross witnesses this behavior and can`t convince anyone else. Joey`s play gets bad reviews, prompting the director to break up with Kate; Joey and Kate spend the night talking and falling in love. Kate gets a job offer in L.A. and decides to leave.
The One With Ross`s Thing
Ross finds a growth on his body but can`t tell what it is; neither can anyone else. He visits his doctor, Chandler`s doctor, and Phoebe`s guru. Phoebe dates two guys: Vince, a burly fireman, and Jason, a sensitive teacher. She tries but can`t decide which one to break up with. Pete is out of town and tells Monica, "We need to talk," which gets her worried. The gang goes with Monica to Pete`s place see how a millionaire lives; Joey finds a stub for a $50,000 check to a ring designer; Rachel begins to plan Monica`s wedding.
The One With The Ultimate Fighting Champion
Monica`s boyfriend Pete begins competing to be the Ultimate Fighting Champion; he loses... repeatedly. Chandler`s new boss has a habit of slapping him on the behind, which Chandler tries to deal with. Phoebe asks Rachel if she can set Ross up with Bonnie; Rachel agrees since Bonnie`s the girl who shaves her head; Later, Rachel finds out Bonnie now has plenty of hair.

Special Features:
Instant Episode Access
Music Video

Video Tracks:
Standard 1.33:1

Audio Tracks:
Dolby Digital Stereo 2.0 English

Subtitle Tracks:
French
Swedish
Finnish
English
CC: English
Dutch
Danish
Norwegian

Starring:
John Christopher Allen
Charles Thomas Allen
Jane Sibbett
David Schwimmer
Matthew Perry
Matt LeBlanc
Lisa Kudrow
Courteney Cox
Jennifer Aniston

Casting By:
Anthony Sepulveda
Leslie Litt
Ellie Kanner

Soundtrack By:
Michael Skloff
Ian Christian Nickus

Director of Photography:
Mikel Neiers
Nick McLean
Ken Lamkin

Editor:
Andy Zall
David Helfand

Costume Designer:
Debbie Easton

Production Designer:
Adam Short

Distributor:
Warner Bros

Your Opinions and Comments

9 / 10
As with previous Friends DVDs - you're buying this box set for the content, and not because these are technically good discs. Once again, we have 3 flipper discs with 25 episodes in total. Video & audio are OK, but not brilliant, but because of the nature of the show, this doesn't really distract from the enjoyment of each episode. Once again we only get a music video in the way of extras which is just unforgivable. Even if Warner Bros put some bios and TV spots on the discs that would be something.

So once again this is a box set to be bought for content alone. This series is extremely funny, and I feel that Friends peaked at this point (seasons 3 and 4 are for me the high points in the show). For details of the individual episodes/discs see my individual disc reviews. A must have box set for any friends fan (or anyone with a sense of humour for that matter!), it's just a crying shame about the lack of extras.
posted by Rich Davies on 27/11/2002 14:39
7 / 10
Yeah, I know - this is the exact review as of the 2nd season. Tough! :)
What else can be written about this series that hadn`t been written before?
6 friends, one cafe, lots of laughs, a couple of tears, NYC - and there you go.
The video transfer is good. The TV-to-DVD transfer is clean of any defects and the colors look a bit more lively than they looked on TV.
The DD 2.0 soundtrack is ok. For this kind of sitcom, the lack of a DD 5.1 soundtrack is acceptable.
The menus are still with music.
There are no extras in this disc set, which is truly a crime.
Bottom line - one of the best sitcoms ever, and a very good 3rd series, too.
posted by Zvi Josef on 25/2/2007 21:59